NYC Vollie EMS

[rdm258]

Are they on the 911 system. Keeping seeing on pics of several greater alarms in the NYC area and will see, Bed Stuy EMS or Forrest Hills VAC, are they just buffing or have on duty shifts and actually get the call from dispatch. Thank you. Whats the deal with Hatzollah?

 

[FDNY 6012]

Don't really know much about the EMS units your talking about but in Throgs Neck(The Bronx) there is a VAC that responds to ALS and BLS calls around the area, I don't think they have shifts because they are volunteer but Im pretty sure they have a dispatcher but I don't know much about that. They are next to 72 Engine's quarters.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pnIKoZpxCg

Here's a video I saw a while ago with some clips of Vollie EMS responding in their POV's.

 

[vbcapt]

I may be losing my mind but, did those POV's have sirens on them?

 

[FDNY220122]

yes those are sirens

 

[Bulldog]

Does anyone know how the get away with sirens on POV's?  New York State law does not allow sirens of personal vehicles for volunteer fire for EMS personnel.  Do they have an exemption or are they just skirting the law?

 

[vbcapt]

Those POV's responding with sirens are a lawyers dream. Yikes !!!

 

[FDNY 6012]

Those vollies are not only probally breaking the law by using the sirens but they are flying.

 

[rdm258]

That is insane to allow POV's to go emergency traffic in a large city like NY. Here in TN vollie's are aloud to have red lights and sirens, only if they are an officer of a dept, or a signed off EMS responder by your chief, or if you have a speciality, such as a diver,tech rescue haz mat tech. Reason being can get paged out for a call outside of your local dept's zone and need to respond to that scene. But only the Chief can sign you off and must have a F endorsement on your license, which is stating that you are an emergency vehicle operator. Thank you every one for responding to my question. Rob

 

[tbendick]

In NYS EMS can have Red Lights/ Sirens if they follow Part 800.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/ems/policy/01-01.htm

Now most of these cars I see are not following all of Part 800 but sometimes I do see a NYS DOH inspection Sticker in the windshield so they are following some of the parts.

 

[vbcapt]

Even with the law & full compliance by a vehicle owner, it still sounds like a very bad idea & a perfect recipe for disaster.

 

[tbendick]

Most don't use the Red Lights.. However Hatzollah has them in all thier cars and they do what ever they want.  They have a lot of power and nobody will toch  them..

 

[tl-ff]

Are they on the 911 system. Keeping seeing on pics of several greater alarms in the NYC area and will see, Bed Stuy EMS or Forrest Hills VAC, are they just buffing or have on duty shifts and actually get the call from dispatch. Thank you. Whats the deal with Hatzollah?

Having worked in all 4 systems of EMS in NYC I can tell you that most volunteer Ambulance Corps are assigned a unit designation, however they are for most of the times only called by 9-1-1 dispatchers when the system is overloaded and with jobs on hold in their respective response areas. Volunteers get their runs either by buffing a scanner or by the neighborhood locals calling them instead of 9-1-1. Bedstuy vollies rely heavily on a scanner to get most of their runs but they do receive their share of runs from their emergency phone number they have as well.

As Tbendick said Hotzolah does what they want with imunity from much flak because of their power, and for the most part they will only touch their kind. They look like circus clowns when they show up to runs with numerous guys getting of the ambulance.

 

[HammerHead]

Are they on the 911 system. Keeping seeing on pics of several greater alarms in the NYC area and will see, Bed Stuy EMS or Forrest Hills VAC, are they just buffing or have on duty shifts and actually get the call from dispatch. Thank you. Whats the deal with Hatzollah?

Having worked in all 4 systems of EMS in NYC I can tell you that most volunteer Ambulance Corps are assigned a unit designation, however they are for most of the times only called by 9-1-1 dispatchers when the system is overloaded and with jobs on hold in their respective response areas. Volunteers get their runs either by buffing a scanner or by the neighborhood locals calling them instead of 9-1-1. Bedstuy vollies rely heavily on a scanner to get most of their runs but they do receive their share of runs from their emergency phone number they have as well.

As Tbendick said Hotzolah does what they want with imunity from much flak because of their power, and for the most part they will only touch their kind. They look like circus clowns when they show up to runs with numerous guys getting of the ambulance.

Dont forget the 20 fly cars that show up as well.  You have to love those Honda Oddessy's and Escalades that are completely outfitted with smart sirens and 100 different lights.  Just like what was mentioned before,they have too much power,they have their own rules.

 

[LondonMedic]

That is insane to allow POV's to go emergency traffic in a large city like NY.

I agree, it's madness!

Unless you're properly trained and driving on lights & sirens regularly, there's no way you'll be competent enough. Do these guys not cause as many calls as they respond to?

 

[tbendick]

It's been an issue for years and won't change anytime soon.

 

[rdm258]

Anyone know if the Vollie EMS/hatzolla members need a special endorsement on their driver's license to respond "Emergency Traffic" ( In Tennessee that's State Wide use for lights and siren ), we do allow our volunteer members to respond with red light and siren but there are strict State requirement's. type of vehicle, have to 21, need EVOC class and Vanessa K Free class, your own insurance must be amended so they are aware. What is NYC's policy on this?

 

[bklyndisp54]

Read 'em and weep....

NYS VTL 375(26): "A gong or siren whistle shall not be used on any vehicle other than
an authorized emergency vehicle. This shall not be construed to apply to a
gong or siren designed and used solely as a burglar alarm on a vehicle".

NYS VTL 375(41)(2):  "Red lights and certain white lights. One or more red or combination
red and white lights, or one white light which must be a revolving,
rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving light, may be affixed
to an authorized emergency vehicle, and such lights may be displayed on an
authorized emergency vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in an emergency
operation, and upon a fire vehicle while returning from an alarm of fire or
other emergency".

So, now let's define "authorized emergency vehicle"...

? 101 Veh. & Traf. Authorized emergency vehicle. "
Every ambulance, police vehicle or bicycle, correction vehicle, fire
vehicle, civil defense emergency vehicle, emergency ambulance service
vehicle, blood delivery vehicle, county emergency medical services vehicle,
environmental emergency response vehicle, sanitation patrol vehicle,
hazardous materials emergency vehicle and ordnance disposal vehicle of the
armed forces of the United States.

And finally, what is an "emergency ambulance service vehicle"?
? 115-c Veh. & Traf. Emergency ambulance service vehicle.

  An emergency ambulance service vehicle shall be defined as an
appropriately equipped motor vehicle owned or operated by an ambulance
service as defined in section three thousand one of the public health law
and used for the purpose of transporting emergency medical personnel and
equipment to sick or injured persons.

Note the words "owned or operated by".  Nothing here about POV's.

 

[guitarman314]

Thanks! So a "Buffmobile" is illegal and the operator of such is a LAWBREAKER? To quote Warner Wolf: "Let's go to the videotape!" : ;D :-X